Mesa Airlines

Lisa,
I do agree. I can't wait to get to PHX. 9 Days and counting. I have worked in the industry for 20 years. and I loved it then I am sure I will love MESA too. I hope to meet you there. Class 10/31 Look for me. I will be the one with a smile on my face. hehehe

I'll have to agree with you both, Lisa and Future FA. Just the fact that we're able to look past all of the cons thrown at us (and head to training with a positive and optimistic attitude) speaks volumes about our resilience and persistence. I have no doubt that we will all do great in training, and hopefully find great fulfillment in the choice that we've made to pursue this opportunity. Best of luck to all with the studying and preparation to head for training (wow, Future, we only have 9 days!!!!)! Enjoy your weekends!!!

VA 4 Life/ORD Bound
10/31 training-yay!!!!

Mesa won't burst my bubble, because I don't place the key to my happiness in anyone else's hands-I control that.

Va 4 Life in Temple, Texas said: I'll have to agree with you both, Lisa and Future FA. Just the fact that we're able to look past all of the cons thrown at us (and head to training with a positive and optimistic attitude) speaks volumes about our resilience and persistence. I have no doubt that we will all do great in training, and hopefully find great fulfillment in the choice that we've made to pursue this opportunity. Best of luck to all with the studying and preparation to head for training (wow, Future, we only have 9 days!!!!)! Enjoy your weekends!!!

VA 4 Life/ORD Bound
10/31 training-yay!!!!

9 DAYS! I am off to study now. I have a birthday party tonight so I am getting a break. I have everything else down working on these announcements. Have you received your travel info yet? I got an email reconfirming my date and they said we should have it mon-tues. I am flying to PHX from CLT on the 9:25am flt on the 29th. Have a great weekend too. STUDY, STUDY STUDY. See ya soon

Bubble Burst...hmmm...How many people were able to talk you out of doing what you had your heart and mind set on? This is our chance. Dad always said...you made your bed...now sleep in it! We all had/have choices to make in life. I can't say all mine were correct. But no one can say about me is that..."She didn't try". I'd rather be known for trying...then sitting back watching the world pass me by.

Oh...and FUture FA for YV....I'll be the one smiling backatcha!!! :)

I hope you don't mean me when talking about 'all the cons being thrown'. I am trying my best to bring to light the consequences to your health in taking one of these jobs. There is a wealth of information on the internet these days which wasn't available when I started flying. All this information is given so you can make an EDUCATED decision when weighing the pros and cons. Let's face it - there are just about no pros and a heck of a lot of cons. This forum is about Mesa - one of the worst airlines you could put your name to and yet I read all these comments about excitement to start this job. I have been a member of the AFA for nearly 9 years now - you will pay and pay your dues out of your check and you will still not be protected by abuse at the hands of your employer. I would really like to hear back from some of you that quit the first month because most of you will. Btw, airlines give you free flu shots right at the airport so save your money. If yours doesn't then you are getting your first taste of how they could care less of you. Many of my closest friends working in fa recruiting and all bailed because they couldn't stomach lying to recruits anymore. I do wish you all well and don't wind up like the rest of us on medical disability and unable to work at all. Like I said, you can take your chances with your health but why oh why when there is so much information today to show you the risks. Forget the dumb benefits - they pay is so low that just about any other job you took would earn enough to buy a real ticket for travel instead of being an ever-waiting non rev. good luck.

dear displaced... i'm glad there are others like you out there trying to get the word out. i was in mgmt with a major carrier for 17 yrs before taking an fa job as a transitional thing going into retirement and stuck with delta connex for almost 9 horrid yrs until i was throttled by a nasty virus. so here i am stuck on IV meds since the spring, and not ONE phone call from the airline to see how i am. everyone has been bailing and they are so desperate for fa's that they are offering a 'bounty' for anybody getting someone to sign on to fa class and a cash reward for anyone who passes training. now, that's a first! part-time has been abolished and line holders are being extended left and right to fill the void. are we getting smarter? are people Finally refusing a hazardous job for welfare wages? many are but you'd never know it by reading the comments in here. FA jobs abound these days and most will take you if you have 2 arms and 2 legs and half a brain. oh, i take that back - one of our fa's only has 1 arm.

Jenniffer, Just take your time try studying only the last page of city codes and nothing else for a whole day that worked for me. I can't wait to meet you.... off to study again ...I'm a little nervous about the announcements I still have to memorize about three different ones.

Hey VA,
How's the studying going. I am taking most of the day to study today, 8 days to go.

A note to FA in Mariietta and Displaced, How long did you work for the airlines? If it was the WORST job ever, how come you stayed so long? Thanks for all the advise, but I think most of us here have made up our minds. Buh-Bye now!

Hey Tamika,
Did you work for USAirways? I think I know someone who knows you. I told her about this site and she said she would look at it. Happy Studying!

"Hey VA,
How's the studying going. I am taking most of the day to study today, 8 days to go."

Hey Future, studying's going great! I have pretty much everything down, so now it's just reviewing and drilling everything in even deeper! 8 more days! Time really flies, huh??

u would think that they would let it go!!! you ladies are grown..We are all excited about training...why try to dissuade us..Im not going to knock something until I try it FOR MYSELF!!! THE choice in the end will be mines to make and I have decided failure is not a option??
Good luck to all of us wannabe FA's ;)

DID THE RECRUITERS TELL YOU THAT YOU WILL BE ON HOT RESERVE WHEN YOU FIRST START FLYING? THAT MEANS 12 HOURS AT THE AIRPORT A DAY. JUST SITTING THERE. IT IS NOT FUN.
WE ARENT TRYING TO TELL YOU TO NOT BE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WE ARE JUST TRYING TO STEER YOU AWAY FROM MESA. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPANIES HIRING RIGHT NOW THAT OFFER BETTER BENEFITS AS WELL AS A BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENT. REPUBLIC IS ONE OF THEM AND THEY WILL FLY YOU IN FOR AN INTERVIEW.
DID YOU ALSO KNOW THAT THE AVERAGE EMPLOYMENT OF A MESA FA IS 2 MONTHS? YES, IT IS TRUE. THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY CLASSES GOING THROUGH.
TRUTHS - IF YOU ARE BEING HOUSED IN THE DEL RIO, WHICH IS WHERE YOU WILL BE TRAINED, YOU ARE IN THE GHETTO OF MESA. PROSTITUTION, DRUGS, CRAZY PEOPLE........IT IS ALL THERE. OUR INSTRUCTORS TOLD US WE WEREN'T ALLOWED TO WALK THE STREETS IN DAYLIGHT UNLESS WE WERE IN A BIG GROUP. THAT SHOULD SAY A LOT.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE EVEN MORE INFORMED OPINIONS GO TO WWW.MESAHUB.COM.

VA,

Yes! 8 more days. Did you get your flight info and hotel yet?

Hey Future, haven't received it yet, guessing I'll get it tomorrow or Tues.

VA,
Yes I am guessing Mon or Tues too. I have my flight info already. And I am almost packed. I will sent some stuff home after training. What are you bringing for after class? I packed some jeans and don't forget your swim suit. I am ready to get there and get this thing started. I have been out of work for a couple months and ready to fly. Back to my studying. I really hate these announcements. How many times have I said that? hehehehe!

I've started packing, and I'll finish within the next few days. For after class, I'm bringing plenty of jeans and, of course, my swimsuit! I'm also ready to get there and get it done so that we can start flying:) Back to studying for me as well!

In response to the YV FA in Flagstaff. Yes the Del Rio is in a bad area of town, but our instructor never told us we can't go outside during the DAY alone. And as for 'average employment' From my class a few people have quit in the first two weeks, but you want to know why? Because they were home sick, because they couldn't cut being away from home for days at a time. Or they got a new base on the standing bid they didn't want. My IOE supervisor was management for US airways mainline, and he hated it, then he came to Mesa and loves his job. He doesn't stress over the small stuff, and he does a great job. Been with the company over four years. As for advancement for FA's, it is possible, you can become an IOE supervisor, an inflight instructor, a base supervisor. As I mentioned before Kenley Chambers is the VP of Inflight and she's only been with Mesa for four years. And YV FA, if you dont' like Mesa, Leave. Its that simple. If you don't like your job, if you dont' like your company, don't stay with it, There are alot of people in Mesa, and hell in any job who hate their job, hate their company hate everything about it. If thats you, leave the company, I don't want to end up working with someone who's miserable all day. As for those of you who want to be a flight attendant, keep the bad and good in mind, make your own choice. And I hope to see some of you on the line :)

Thanks for the encouraging words, Timothy! Definitely a breath of fresh air. I'm sure that the entire training experience will be an adjustment for some individuals, but I think that one has to keep their goal in mind so that they know what they're working towards.

Again, thanks for the encouraging words, and I'm personally looking forward to working with you! Wish us all luck!

never said working for the regionals was the Worst job i ever had. 2 yrs UAL, 17 yrs PanAm, 9 yrs delta connex (the last 9 as an fa). i WISH somebody had given me all this 'negative' info so i could have formed an Educated decision before jumping into an fa job! and what's with the gal with 5 kids taking this job? i hope they are grown! my youngest was 27 when i started flying and it was still an adjustment for the family. please keep reading ALL the info about crew jobs online before taking the leap.

I will be. This is a job i've wanted for over 6 years. I research any job before I take it. A job is what you make it. If you go into the job expecting the job to make itself what you want, you are delusional. I know the negatives and the positives, i went in knowing this. Thats why I know taht i'll be fine. Go into it knowing information, then take that information, both good and bad, and see what you can make of it. If you dont' think this is for you, dont' even waste your time going to training.

yup i have 5 kids (who of course is NOT grown)..I will take any job that I see fit...and NOONE especially those who have NO parts in there upbringing tell me what job I can and cant take. so you can take your bashing to someone who will endulge in that!!!Dont tell me or anyone what's good for me just because you had difficulties..I AM NOT YOU

Diva, Just keep in mind you wont' be home alot. And to anyone who thinks a mom cant' do it, we had a girl in our class who had a baby recently, but she has a STRONG support system back at home, so her baby is alright. And she's trying to get CLT, so she'll be home :)

Hey Timothy,
I can't wait to get to PHX(8 days). How was the first test? And I have tried and tried for days to learn the announcements, Any pointers? How was the training? And are you flying much? Tell me everything. I am so excited to start my new life as a FA.

As for the rest of us.........Keep your great attitudes and stay focused. Can't wait to meet you all. Mom of 5 GOOD FOR YOU!

Timothy,
Whats the ex manager for USAirways name? I might know him. Thanks

HI Timothy, Thanks for the encouragement to all the mommas
Im hoping to get Philly as my base. I also have a great support system...and they want this for me as much as I want it so that helps ALOT..but if I cant get Philly as my base me and my husband are prep to move our children!!!!

Diva,

You'll probably end up in either ORD, IAD or PHX to start. The class that is here now, someone got GJT right out of training so :). And Future, his name is Leoni. I dont' wanna give out his last night on a forum :)

No Problem, I don't think I know him. How is everything going in IOE? Tell us everything to expect, Okay? Are you renting an apartment or commuting? Thanks again for any info.

Im not with Mesa..Im starting training with Republic Airlines

Sorry. I was referring to Timothy on the other questions.

Tamika in Charlotte, North Carolina said: Jenniffer, Just take your time try studying only the last page of city codes and nothing else for a whole day that worked for me. I can't wait to meet you.... off to study again ...I'm a little nervous about the announcements I still have to memorize about three different ones.

Hi,Tamika started on them today and i am doing better. I broke them done into sixes and i got most of them.I spoke to Ms.Norton and she said that you do not have to remember the announcements.

In response to displaced,

Mesa only fly's the Dash 8's in PHX DEN and GJT. We only have 18 Dash 8 lines in PHX, and the rest are in DEN and GJT. Other then that we fly all jets. If you take into account how many Dash we have, the chances on someone flying a 'non jet' is almost non existant. And that also means you have to WANT to fly a Dash. And I understand you have had your problems with Airlines, but like i've said before EVERY airline, no matter WHAT they are has their bad and good parts. I think everyone appreciates your 'opinions' on the subject, but to contstantly bash ONE particular airline over others kinda makes me wonder.

To Future FA,

My IOE was great, some of my classmates had horrible IOE Instructors, they were rude, inconsiderate and not the type of people i'd want to work with. The company has had problems, and they are working on rooting those 'problems' out. The IOE is about what you can do. During training on the ground, just pay attention, listen to your instructor and ask questions. I'm personally going to probably commute as i live in Tucson and am based here in PHX.

Timothy,

Can you confirm what Jennifer is saying? "I spoke to Ms.Norton and she said that you do not have to remember the announcements."

Jennifer in Houston, Texas

I find this very hard to believe. In looking at the training packet pretest pages...seems you need to know them. Can you confirm???

Thanks!

You have to know your announcements for the Enterence exam, that 'practice' one in the email is what the exam will be like. You must keep in mind the announcements for the class, but DEFINATLY know your main announcement, the 'safety' one. That is what you want to keep in mind the most. When you are on the line, you don't have to have it memorized but ask yourself this, Do you feel safe if the flight attendant doesn't remember how many exits are on the aircraft or where they are? Remember the important safety stuff.. remember your number one job is PAX safety. If you know this, and remember that important information, you'll do fine. The enterence exam is easy, just remember your packet. I'll be honest, i only memoriezed the codes, and the abbreviations. The announcement is easy if you've ever flown before :) Any other questions let me know

www.mesahub.com

Displaced,

You did mention you used to work for Mesa, 14 years ago. Things change. Do you have friends who currently work for Mesa? I'm not saying Mesa is angelic or perfect, but its not as bad as it used to be. And yes, Mesa does fly the 1900's but they are getting rid of them. The Dash's are only in a few bases. And those bases are our most senior bases. Also a lot of your information comes from the Pilots, not from Flight Attendants. They are two different animals in my opinion. Your experience with Mesa is 14 years old. And from my research as well, that was during a 'bad' time in the companies history. Even the COO admits that was a bad time in the companies time. Like I have also said, its good to see another point of view. Its the reason i'm giving mine. Without different opinions people won't be able to make their own choices.

And to YV FA in Flagstaff,

If you don't like Mesa, please quit. I'm serious. If you just got hired, then you shouldn't have finished Training. If you have been around awhile and hate it so much, just QUIT. Its really easy to do. No one will look down on you for deciding its not for you anymore, but to not try to fix your situation in life makes me think you just LIKE being miserable. I hope thats not the case though.

PassinG this on......

Ok, so you have all read what life as a MESA pilot is like for the guys and gals out there flying. Now here is the feedback from the family perspective:

I have a full time career (a successful one, which considering the first few years of MESA and pilot pay, I definitely can say is a key factor if you want to live even somewhat comfortably, surviving on a tiny amount of money is not easy) and we have two small kids. I more or less have to consider myself a single mother because my husband is home about 4-5 days out of the month, tops. His domecile is a 2 hour plane ride away and he commutes home on days off. This is nothing new to any pilot family, so it's a choice we both made when he went into this. That said, the way that MESA treats their pilots with the CONSTANT uncertainty about what happen to the bases, the low pay (block time issue) and last minute scheduling issues make life a lot more difficult than it has to be. I know a great deal of MESA pilots wives, from the MESA program, and they are all equally unhappy - as are their husbands. I want to give every new family a big heads up about this and to prepare for some challenging times, because they will be there. If you are prepared and have set your expectations accordingly, then by all means, go ahead, but don't go into this naively or thinking that it "can't be that bad". It's a good opportunity if you were not able to go the traditional route (CFI, accumulating hours etc.) but it comes with a high price tag. Many have had to go into marriage counseling to avoid the 70% pilot divorce rate out there.

Timothy,
Thanks for the info. I have all the city codes memorized and the terms too. I still am going to learn all the announcements and I have a few days before I leave (7). How is it living in PHX? I really dont care where I am based, But I really dont want ORD (I hate cold weather), I will try the commute thing to CLT. Can you tell me anything about the class schedule? What did your class do on the off times? I am getting very excited and hope to meet you when I get there. Thanks for all the info. How many were in your class? Did anyone go home after the first test? Sorry I am just so curious about everything. Thanks again

continued from above.......

Be prepared, stay strong and keep your eye on the goal would be my advice. You WILL have some dog years and it's not easy, but if you try to look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel (usually 3-5 years out) you can make it. It's the financial issues, and the constant uncertainty that gets to you very quickly. You both have to stay positive, remain selfless and really prioritize each other. TRUST ME, it's not the "cheating on you with flight attendants" issue (that so many wives worry about) that cause the high divorce rates!

We have friends who have gone over to Express Jet, SkyWest and various other regionals. Most will agree that EVERY airline and employer is going to have their set of issues and there will be challenges regardless of employer. However, the difference in other airlines seems to be the block time issue and the pay. There seems to be a general higher level of respect for pilots with other companies.

On a final note, and I cannot stress this enough, make SURE your wife has a job or a decent income as I'm not kidding when I say that you have to survive on less than $1200 a month for that entire first year, and my husband never even sat reserve. He had a steady line at 78-80 hours a month!

Future FA for YV in Troutman, North Carolina said: Timothy,
Thanks for the info. I have all the city codes memorized and the terms too. I still am going to learn all the announcements and I have a few days before I leave (7). How is it living in PHX? I really dont care where I am based, But I really dont want ORD (I hate cold weather), I will try the commute thing to CLT. Can you tell me anything about the class schedule? What did your class do on the off times? I am getting very excited and hope to meet you when I get there. Thanks for all the info. How many were in your class? Did anyone go home after the first test? Sorry I am just so curious about everything. Thanks again

PHX is hot. Very hot. Extremely hot :) Except in the winter. Its nice in the winter. ORD is not so bad except in the winter to be blunt :) Just hope your senority works in your favor. CLT you won't get for a bit if you want it. Class is about 9 hours a day, either 6am to 3pm or 3pm to midnight. You do get breaks and an hour lunch. My class started with 43, we graduated with 32. Only one of our class left because of the first exam. And i'll be honest, since graduation we've lost a few. So far its because of homesickness or forgetting they do have to do standing bids.=)

I don't really care where I get based. I will try to get back to CLT though. But it will all work out. Yes I remember reading about the standing bids. Thats your base assignment, Right? I am just excited to be doing this. Are you flying much? Anything else you can think of please let me know. Is the Del Rio really as bad as they say it is? Can you walk to stores and whats the rooms like. You have most helpful through all of this. Thanks again

The Del Rio grows on you after a while, you find yourself not wanting to leave. You can go to the stores, even the van drives might take you or pick you up at Safeway (local grocery store). The Standing bids will be explained but basically you pick where you want to go, your first day or so you'll do this, then Standing Bids will make a list of where you are going, if you get your first choice, you are locked there for 6 months. I was smart, i left my first choice as a Freedom base so i'm never locked where i am :) Basically put things in the order you WANT them, easiest way to try to get what you desire :) My room has two beds, and a kitchen with a stove, not all the rooms have the stove but :)

What do you mean by freedom base? So can they move you around as you are needed? or just every 6 month? Your not still at the Del are you? Everything is exciting. Are you flying much? Have you been home yet? and what are the trips like? is it 2, 3 or 4 day trips? any over nights yet?

Thanks Timothy,

Its 140am here or should I say 0140, hehehe I am off to bed. Thanks for all the answers. see you in PHX in 7 days. Susan

Future FA....leave ORD for me....Sweet Home Chicago! :)

Lisa, You can have it.........Buuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrr way to cold for me. I love it in the summer. I hope to get IAD really I love the east coast. I went up to bed but couldnt sleep......wound up tonight. or should i say this morning.

Timothy,

I believe there are 7 announcements.

Are you saying that your only tested on the main announcement?

On the line...you dont use them at all? Are they pre-recorded on the planes?

Fill me in with details...you are our connection in! :)

Thanks!

I'll take it!!! (smiles) Born and raised here.

You can't sleep.....chat with me for awhile. I have to work in the morning...and I wish I could sleep! I am wound up too...because of the unknowing...I hope Timothy is still online. :)

I flew Mesa this past week. One plane had it pre recorded and coming home the FA said it. I am learning them anyway. Timothy said make sure you know the safety stuff. and its like the sample test they gave us. Missing words in a sentence. They are so wordy and sometimes they call it bags, or baggage or luggage or checked luggage.......UGH!

Okay Lisa,
Where do you work? I haven't worked in months. Long story I will tell you all about it in PHX.